Securement mechanism

ABSTRACT

A securement mechanism includes a tie-down cleat assembly for engagement with a mating component, the tie-down cleat assembly including a pin, a lock plate adjacent to one of the ends of the pin, and a housing having an aperture receiving the pin. An actuating member is operationally connected to the pin and causes selective movement of the pin and lock plate between a secured and unsecured orientation. The lock plate has a first dimension permitting the lock plate to be inserted into a channel associated with the mating component and a second dimension permitting the securement of the mating component between the housing and locking plate. The pin and locking plate and preferably the housing are all rotatable as a single unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/463,291, filedApr. 16, 2003; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/710,600, filed Aug.23, 2005; U.S. paatent application Ser. No. 11/101,984, filed Apr. 8,2005; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/825,456, filed Apr. 15,2004 are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties, includingtheir specifications, claims, and drawings.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The embodiments described herein are directed to an innovative tie-downcleat assembly loaded onto a rail or any vehicle surface and secured inposition.

BACKGROUND

Tie-down cleats are commonly used with rails having channels defined bysidewalls and a bottom surface disposed between the sidewalls. The topof each sidewall typically has an inwardly extending leg disposed abovethe bottom surface. The tie-down cleat is disposed along a rail with aportion of the tie-down cleat including a lock plate being receivedwithin the channel, and movement being selectively constrained throughinteraction of the cleat with at least a subset of the sidewalls, bottomsurface, and legs.

Typically, a tie-down cleat is associated with a rail using one of twoapproaches. One approach is to remove an end cap and then insert theportion of the cleat including the lock plate into the end of the rail.A problem with this approach is that a user has to physically remove acomponent to allow for installation of the cleat. The end cap may belost, become damaged, or be difficult to reinstall. Moreover, the end ofthe rail must be accessible, typically reducing the overall length ofrail available for use.

Another well known approach is to have a notch added at each of aplurality of discrete points along the rail, wherein the portion of thecleat including the lock plate is inserted into the notch and then thetie-down cleat is slid away from the notch before the cleat is lockedinto position at a fixed point away from the notch. The amount of usablerail length available to a consumer is reduced by adding a notch to therail channel. Further, under some circumstances, if the cleat becomesunsecured or creeps along the rail, it can suddenly escape from a notch.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved tie-down cleatassembly allowing installation without removing a component such as anend cap. It would further be highly desirable to provide such amechanism that may be secured anywhere along a vehicle surface adaptedto receive it while securing components such as bicycles, skies,snowboards, kayaks, canoes, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The described embodiments provide a solution to known problems in theprior art by providing an innovative securement mechanism having atie-down cleat assembly and a locking member such as a rail. The railhas a continuously extending channel along its longitudinal length, thechannel being defined by a web disposed between opposing siderails andlegs extending into the channel from free ends of each siderail. In oneembodiment, the rail has a somewhat C-shaped cross-section. An end capmay be permanently secured to the rail and notches are not required. Thetie-down assembly is top loaded into the rail and secured into position.The tie-down assembly may also be secured anywhere along a vehiclesurface adapted to receive it.

The assembly includes a housing that accommodates one-handed grippingand turning by a user while providing the ability to attach items to theassembly. A pin is disposed through the housing. The assembly furtherincludes a lock plate adjacent to a free end of the pin. The lock platehas a first dimension suitable for insertion into the channel of thelocking member and a second dimension capable of gripping the undersideof the legs in a locked and secured position. The assembly preferablyfurther includes an actuating member capable of moving the pin and lockplate up and down between secured and unsecured orientations withrespect to the rail.

The pin and actuating member are threadingly engaged with one anothersuch that rotation of the actuating member moves the pin and attachedlocking plate up and down. To prevent the pin from rotating at the sametime, the actuating member is rotated, it typically includes at least apartial noncircular cross-section. The mating portion of the housingincludes a noncircular feature that complements the noncircularcross-section of the pin to the extent that rotation of the pin withinthe housing is minimized as the actuating member is rotated.

During operation, the user can install the tie-down assembly by loadingthe lock plate into the rail by aligning the first dimension with thespace between the rail legs and then rotating the lock plate until thesecond dimension is capable of engaging the underside of the legs. In apreferred embodiment, the entire housing is rotated approximately ninetydegrees, simultaneously rotating the lock plate at the same time. Thus,the tie-down assembly is typically rotated as one component. Theactuating member is then activated to move the pin and lock plate into asecured orientation, as by clamping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and inventive aspects of the exemplary embodiments willbecome more apparent upon reading the following detailed description,claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to one embodiment of a tie-downcleat assembly shown in a secured orientation on a mating rail;

FIGS. 2A-2D show the process for securing the tie-down cleat assembly ofFIG. 1 to a mating rail with the assembly approaching the rail in FIG.2A, being inserted into the rail in FIG. 2B, starting to be rotatedtoward a final orientation in FIG. 2C, and shown in its final alignedorientation with the rail in FIG. 2D;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1,showing the various elements of one embodiment of the tie-down cleatassembly and corresponding rail;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a lock plate subassembly ofthe tie-down cleat assembly in of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a table showing exemplary material properties of selectelements of the tie-down cleat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tie-down cleat assembly of FIG.1 in a final secured orientation with respect to the corresponding rail;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tie-down cleat assembly of FIG. 1with a cutaway portion to the interior of the assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tie-down cleat assembly according toan alternative exemplary embodiment showing a one-piece tie-down and aratcheting cap;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8 in asecured position;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8 showing abiasing member urging an actuating member up into an unsecured position;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8-10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8-11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8-12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 8 taken at a position along the longitudinal length of a rail. Thealternative embodiment is shown in a final secured orientation;

FIG. 15 is view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the alternativeembodiment perpendicular to the rail in an unlocked position;

FIG. 16 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of a cleatassembly showing a base plate and a support member;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a front view of one embodiment of a cleat assembly showing abase plate, an actuating member, and a support member;

FIG. 21 is an elevated perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of a cleatassembly showing a base plate and a support member;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments are shown indetail. Although the drawings represent exemplary embodiments, thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may beexaggerated. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intendedto be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the invention to theprecise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed inthe following detailed description.

FIGS. 1-7 are directed to an innovative securement mechanism including atie-down cleat assembly 10 and mating component in the form of a lockingmember or rail 12.

Rail 12 is formed with a continuously extending channel 14 along itslength. The channel 14 of the rail 12 is defined by a web or bottomsurface 50 disposed between opposing siderails 52, legs 54 extendinginto the channel from a free end of each siderail (as best shown in FIG.6). An end cap (not shown) may be permanently secured to the rail 12,which may or may not contain notches. When there are no notches, legs 54are uninterrupted along the length of rail 12.

Tie-down cleat assembly 10 is placed on a top surface 16 of the rail 12and secured into position. While a rail is shown, locking member 12 mayalso be a corresponding hole, passage, or pocket anywhere on a vehiclesurface (not shown).

The innovative tie-down cleat assembly 10 includes a housing 17comprising a tie-down 18 and a base plate 20 that rides along the topsurface 16 of the rail 12 or vehicle surface (not shown). As best shownin FIG. 3, the tie-down 18 is secured to the base plate 20 by way oftypical fasteners such as bolts 22, washers 23, and nuts 24. In FIG. 7assembly 10 is in a locked position.

The bolts 22 are placed through a counterbore 25 in tie-down 18 and thenthrough a corresponding counterbore hole 26 of the base plate 20. Thehead of each bolt engages a bottom surface of one of counterbores 25 and26 and the washer and nut engage the bottom surface of the othercounterbore.

In turn, the subassembly of the tie-down 18 and base plate 20 is securedto the rail 12 using a lock plate subassembly 28 as shown in FIG. 4.Lock plate subassembly 28 includes a lock plate 30, a pin 32, a retainer34, a thrust washer 36 with downwardly extending tabs 37, a nut andwasher combination 38, and an actuating member 40. The lock plate 30 isrigidly secured to the first free end 39 of the pin 32. Thus, as the pin32 is rotated, the lock plate 30 is rotated to the same angular extent.Thus, the lock plate 30 does not spin independently of the pin 32. In analternative embodiment, lock plate 30 and pin 32 may be a singlecomponent.

The lock plate 30 includes a first dimension 41 and a second dimension42 is greater than the first dimension 41. In the indicated embodiment,lock plate 30 is generally rectangular with the first dimension beingthe short edge and the second dimension being the long edge. Lock plate30 also has two optional extending ears 43 to help facilitate theselective gripping of legs 54 of rail 12 when the assembly 10 is in afinal secured orientation as discussed below.

Pin 32 includes a threaded second end 46 and a noncircular cross-section43 disposed along a portion of the pin between first end 39 and secondend 46. While a “square” cross-section is shown, generally anynoncircular shape will be acceptable.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, lock plate subassembly is shown insertedthrough a mating aperture 47 of base plate 20. Aperture 47 is showntapered in cross-section so that up and down movement of pin 32 isunimpeded even if the pin is offset from illustrated axis A-A. Aperture47 includes a noncircular periphery along at least a portion of itslongitudinal extent that mates with the corresponding surface of pin 32in an interference fit upon pin rotation such that while the pin 32 maymove up and down within the aperture 47, at most minimal rotation ispermitted between pin 32 and base plate 20. As a result, as the pin 32is rotated, the base plate 20 and tie-down 18 are rotated tosubstantially the same angular extent. Moreover, while the lock plate 30is shown secured to the pin 32 using typical welding or relatedsecurement techniques, it could instead also include a correspondingnoncircular aperture (not shown) to minimize rotation of the lock plate30 with respect to the pin 32.

Aperture 47 also includes a counterbore 68 with a bottom surface 69 andcounterbore 68 spaced from an upper end 66 of the base plate. A retainer34 is secured to pin 32 at a radially inwardly extending notch 44 andextends radially outwardly from the outer periphery of pin 32. Retainer34 selectively contacts bottom surface 69 of counterbore 68 to preventpin 32 from escaping through aperture 47. On the other hand, thelongitudinal extent of counterbore 68 is such that retainer 34 does notprohibit the securing of the assembly 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, evenwhen assembly 10 is in a secured orientation, retainer 34 has notescaped from counterbore 68. Thus, as the pin 32 moves up and downwithin the tie-down cleat assembly 10 along axis A-A, the retainer 34moves with the pin 32. The radial extent of counterbore 68 is greaterthan that of the aperture 47 and it may also include a complementarynoncircular cross-section.

Finally, the uppermost portion of base plate 20 includes a counterbore45 disposed about the periphery of aperture 47 and above counterbore 68.A thrust washer 36 is disposed in counterbore 45. A key purpose of thethrust washer 36 is to prohibit damage to the base plate 20 such asgalling as the nut and washer combination 38 is rotated with respect tothe pin 32, as discussed below.

When the tie-down cleat assembly 10 is in a non-secured orientation thethrust washer 36 has a tendency to move up and down along axis A-A andto twist about the longitudinally extending axis of the base plateaperture 47. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 4,thrust washer 36 has a generally planer first surface and two generallyperpendicular downwardly extending ears 37, received in correspondingpockets 48 extending into the upper surface of the base plate 20proximate, but spaced away from counterbore 45, as shown best in FIG. 3.The two outwardly extending tabs 37 of thrust washer 36 that mate withthe base plate 20 at pockets 48 generally keep thrust washer 36 inplace, and prevent accidental rotation, but still permit movement of pin32 along axis A-A. Preferably, the extent of the ears 37 with respect toaxis A-A is such that they are greater than the longitudinal travel ofthe pin 32 between the secured and unsecured orientations of thetie-down cleat assembly 10. The counterbore 45 itself may also be shapedto prevent accidental rotation of the thrust washer 36.

The nut and washer combination 38 is secured to actuating member 40 andoperationally threaded to pin 32, allowing pin 32 to move up and downalong axis A-A when the actuating member is rotated rather thanrequiring a tool such as a wrench. Thus, actuating member 40 is rigidlysecured to the nut and washer combination 38 such that rotation of theactuating member results in corresponding rotation of the nut and washercombination. It is contemplated that the actuating member 40 may be athumbwheel, a nut, a ratcheting cap, a lever, or any component capableof accomplishing the function of moving the pin 32 up and down alongaxis A-A. While a threading arrangement is shown, other approaches maybe used to secure lock plate subassembly 28.

Despite the clamping mechanism used, as shown in FIG. 6, the dimensionsof the lock plate 30 are very important. The second dimension 42 of lockplate 30 permits the lock plate 30 to be freely inserted into thechannel 14 of the rail 12 from the top surface 16 without interferencefrom bottom surface 50, one of the sidewalls 52 or legs 54. When thelock plate 30 is rotated about axis A-A after insertion into channel 14,the extending ears 43 of lock plate 30, corresponding to the ends offirst dimension 41, engage the legs 54 of the rail 12. FIG. 6 shows thelock plate 30 in an engaged and locked position where the extending ears43 of lock plate 30 grip the legs 54 of rail 12. Typically, lock plate30 is rotated 90 degrees. Dimension 41 is greater than the space betweenlegs 54, as represented by dimension 58, while dimension 42 is smallerthan dimension 58. When lock plate 30 is rectangular, the diagonaldimension of the lock plate defined by the hypotenuse of the first edgeand the second edge must be smaller than the distance between sidewalls52 so that the assembly 10 may be freely rotated three hundred and sixtydegrees (360°).

Because of the relationship between pin 32 and aperture 47 of the lockplate, and the relationship of the lock plate 20 with tie-down 18,rotation of one member preferably results in rotation of the entiretie-down assembly as a single component. As a result, when lock plate 20is rotated into engagement with legs 54, tie-down 18 should be alignedwith rail 18 in the desired orientation, which is typically parallelwith the rail as shown in FIG. 1

FIGS. 2A-2D show the process of securing the tie-down cleat assembly 10to the rail 12. FIG. 2A shows the assembly 10 approaching the rail 12with the longest dimension of the tie-down offset from the longitudinalextent of the rail. Lock plate 30 is shown with dimension 42 inalignment with channel 14 so that it may be inserted between legs 54 ofthe rail. In FIG. 2B the lock plate 30 is inserted into channel 14 ofrail 12. In FIG. 2C, assembly 10 is being rotated until in FIG. 2D thelongest dimension of the tie-down 18 is aligned with the longitudinalextent of rail 12. At the same time, dimension 42 of lock plate 20 isnow positioned beneath legs 54 of rail 12. Rotation of actuating member40 will move pin 32 up and result in the engagement of ears 43 with legs54 and the corresponding engagement of lock plate 20 with top surface 16of rail 12. To release assembly 10, the process is simply reversed.

To further enhance the clamping of the tie-down cleat assembly 10 to therail 12, select mating surfaces of the rail or base plate may includesurface interruptions (not shown) to increase frictional engagement. Inthe alternative, the upper surface of the lock plate 30 may includesurface interruptions (not shown) that engage the underside of the railears 54.

The tie-down cleat assembly 10 is typically intended for use in vehicleapplication for either an article carrier (not shown) or a bed railsystem (not shown). The tie-down cleat assembly 10 would be loadedthrough the top surface 16 of the rail 12 or channel 14 rather thanthrough a loading notch (not shown) or end of the rail 12. This is doneby keeping the movement of the lock plate 30 relative to the tie-downcleat assembly 10 minimized.

The top down loading allows a user to install the tie-down cleatassembly 10 anywhere along the length of the channel 14 without removingany existing components (not shown) and it gives the user the fulllength of rail 12 as usable channel 14.

Alternatively, if rail 12 does include notches within a portion of legs54, the notch is shaped to facilitate retention of lock plate 30 in thesecured orientation so that longitudinal movement of the assembly 10 isminimized. An edge of second dimension 41 would engage a correspondingnotch edge formed by a portion of the leg. In one embodiment, the notchwould consist of selective removal of the portion of a leg 54 extendingdownwardly toward a bottom surface 50 of rail 12 while still providingappropriate clamping surface.

FIG. 5 shows a table of selected elements of the assembly 10 and variousmaterial properties of the elements used in one exemplary assembly. Thetie-down 18 is shown to be formed of aluminum; however, steel andplastic are also contemplated. The actuating member 40 is shown to be ofaluminum and in the form of a thumb wheel; however, steel and plasticare also contemplated. In place of a thumb wheel, a ratcheting cap, alever, or any component capable of accomplishing a function of movingthe pin 32 up and down along axis A-A is also acceptable. The base plate20 is shown to be aluminum; however, steel and plastic are alsocontemplated. The nut of the nut and washer combination 38 is shown tobe steel and the washer is shown to be spring steel; however, othermaterials such as aluminum and plastic may also be appropriate in somecases. The thrust washer 36, pin 32, lock plate 30, bolt 22, washer 24,and nut 26 are shown to be stainless steel; however, other steels,aluminum, and plastic could be used. The retainer is contemplated to bealuminum, steel, or plastic.

An alternative exemplary embodiment assembly 10′ is shown in FIGS. 8-15.In general, elements similar in nature to those of the first embodimentshare the same element number and work in a similar manner.

Assembly 10′ includes a one-piece housing 80 that integrates both atie-down 18′ and a base plate 20′. FIG. 14 shows assembly 10′ in asecured orientation, attached to a vehicle surface 82 by way of a rail12′. Rail 12′ is similar in design to rail 12, with legs 54′ somewhatthickened as they turn inward toward bottom surface or web 50′

Actuating member 40′ is illustrated as a ratcheting cap in mechanicalcommunication with a pin 32′ and a lock plate 30′. As member 40′ isrotated, pin 32′ moves up or down, depending on the direction ofrotation of the actuating member 40′, and they are threadingly engagedwith one another. Actuating member 40′ is hollow, having an upperportion 84 and a lower portion 86. Lower portion 86 has an upper surface88 and an opening 90. Opening 90 threadingly engages pin 32′ such thatas actuating member 40′ is rotated, pin 32′ moves up and down.

The pin 32′ includes a radially inwardly extending notch 44′ receiving aradially outwardly extending retainer 34′. Retainer 34′ prevents pin 32′from passing through opening 90 and selectively engages surface 88. Itlimits the longitudinal movement of pin 32′ downwardly. However, pin 32′is also limited in longitudinal movement upwardly. End 46′ canselectively strike the underside of upper portion 84. Alternatively, asshown, aperture 47′ and pin 32′ can be shaped so that upward movement ofpin 32 is prevented when a thickened region 104 of pin 32′ bottoms outin a counterbore 106 of aperture 47′. The mating surfaces are angled toprovide additional areas of contact and minimize accidental damage ifthere is over torquing of the pin 32′ with respect to the base plate20′.

Once again, lock plate 30′ has a first dimension 41 and a seconddimension 42, but unlike the first embodiment, no ears 43.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, a biasing member in the form of a spring 92biases actuating member 40′ away from base plate 20′ and lock plate 30′toward the base plate 20′. It is disposed between a lower surface 94 ofthe actuating member 40′ and an upper surface 66′ of base plate 20′. Onegoal is to have lock plate 30′ closely adjacent to the underside of baseplate 20′ to facilitate the insertion of the assembly 10′ into a rail12′. Sometimes, insertion can be complicated if lock plate 30′ extendslongitudinally too far away from the rest of the assembly 10′.

FIG. 9 shows assembly 10′ with the actuating member 40′ depresseddownwardly against the biasing force of the spring 92. Spring 92 is alsocompressed when assembly 10′ is in a secured orientation as shown inFIG. 14.

The lowermost surface 96 of base plate 20′ includes a plurality ofprotrusions 98 extending away from the base plate 20′. As shown in FIG.12, the protrusions 98 have a common width 100 smaller than dimension 58of the channel 14′. They help to prevent accidental rotation of theassembly 10′ when it is in its secured orientation by being receivedwithin channel 14′ of the rail 12′ and trapped between legs 54′.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 show the top, bottom, and side views, respectively,of the housing 18′ in a secured or closed orientation. In FIG. 15, theassembly 10′ is shown in an unlocked position and unsecured position. Toload the assembly 10′ into the rail 12′, the actuating member 40′ mustbe manually pushed downwardly against the force of the biasing member 92so that the second dimension 42 of the lock plate 30′ is inserted intothe channel 14′ of the rail 12′ when the assembly 10′ has been properlyaligned with channel 14′. The lock plate 30′ must clear the legs 54′ andtake into account the presence of the protrusions 98 generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail 12′. Then the entireassembly 10′ is rotated approximately ninety degrees (90°) so that thefirst dimension 41 of the lock plate 30′ may engage or otherwiseinterlock with the rail 12′ at the legs 54′ as shown in FIG. 14.Protrusions 98 extend into channel 14′. At least one benefit of usingthe biasing member 92 in this manner is that it forces the lock plate 30against the legs 54′ of the rail 12′ holding the assembly 10′ in placebefore the securing operation is executed. Then, actuating member 40′ isrotated, clamping legs 54′ of rail 12′ between the base plate 20′ andthe lock plate 30′ by way of longitudinal movement of pin 32′. Torelease assembly 10′, the process is reversed.

An alternative exemplary embodiment assembly 110 is shown in FIGS.16-25. In general, elements similar in nature to those of the previousembodiments described above share generally the same element basenumbers in the 100 series and work in a similar manner. Assembly 110includes a one-piece housing 120 that integrates both a tie-down 118 anda base plate 120. Assembly 110 is shown including the base plate 120 anda support member 130. The base plate 120 includes a first aperture 122configured to accept and secure the support member 130 and a secondaperture 124 configured to accept the pin 32 as described above.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate perspective, front, and side views, respectively,of an exemplary embodiment of the assembly 110. The tie-down 118includes two legs 131 disposed between first aperture 122 of the baseplate 120 and the lowermost surface 196. The legs 131 may be formed inany shape and size that provides a passageway 133 therebetween. Thesupport member 130 may be fixed within the first aperture 122 by anymethod including gluing, welding, friction, and molding. However, thesupport member may also be slideable within the first aperture 122.Further, the support member 130 may be formed in any shape andcross-section including any tubular shape, cylindrical shape, andrectangular shape and having a solid or hollow interior. The tie-down118, base plate 120, and support member 130 may be formed from separatecomponents or formed as one piece. Further, the tie-down 118 and thebase plate 120 may be formed from one material including plastic, metal,or polyamide resin while the support member may be formed from a secondmaterial including metal or high-strength plastic.

FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 illustrate front, side perspective, and bottomperspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of theassembly 110 having an actuator 140 disposed within the passageway 133.The lowermost surface 196 of base plate 120 includes at least oneprotrusion 198 extending away from the base plate 120. As shown in FIG.19, the protrusion 198 has a width 200 smaller than dimension 58 of thechannel 14 of rail of FIG. 15. The protrusion 198 provides securementfrom accidental rotation of the assembly 110 when it is in the securedorientation when received within channel 14 of the rail 12 and trappedbetween legs 54.

FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 illustrate front perspective, side perspective, andbottom perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment ofassembly 1 10 having a generally partially circular tie-down 118. Ingeneral, elements similar in nature to those of the previous embodimentsdescribed above share generally same element numbers and work in asimilar manner.

Support member 130 is configured to secure at least one bicycle fork(not shown). The support member 130 provides the user with an anti-swaydevice capable of accepting the forks of a bicycle. The forks may belocked onto the support member 130 providing stability when transportingthe bicycle on a vehicle surface (not shown). However, the assembly 110may be adapted to secure any cargo including skies, a kayak, a canoe, asnowboard, and the like that are transported on the vehicle surface orcargo bed of the vehicle.

The exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the foregoing drawings, which are merely illustrativeof the best modes. It should be understood by those skilled in the artthat various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may beemployed in practicing the invention without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the invention andthat the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and theirequivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention shouldbe understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations ofelements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or alater application to any novel and non-obvious combination of theseelements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and nosingle feature or element is essential to all possible combinations thatmay be claimed in this or a later application.

1. A tie-down cleat assembly for engagement with a mating component, themating component including a channel, comprising: a pin extending alonga generally longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end; alock plate adjacent to said second end; a housing having an aperture,said pin extending through said aperture, said pin, said lock plate, andsaid housing being configured so that rotation of one of said pin andsaid lock plate about said longitudinal axis results in a correspondingrotation of the other of said pin and said lock plate; an actuatingmember operationally connected to said pin for causing selectivemovement of said pin and said lock plate between a secured and anunsecured orientation to secure the mating component between saidhousing and said lock plate, said lock plate being received in thechannel in said secured orientation; and a support member secured tosaid housing.
 2. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein saidpin, said lock plate and said housing are configured such that rotationof one of said pin, said lock plate and said housing about saidlongitudinal axis results in corresponding rotation of the other two ofsaid pin, said lock plate, and said housing between a secured and anunsecured orientation.
 3. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 1,wherein said lock plate has a first dimension and a second dimensionsmaller than said a first dimension, said second dimension selectivelypermitting said lock plate to be received within the channel of saidmating component and said first dimension selectively trapping said lockplate within the channel.
 4. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 3,wherein a portion of said mating component is clamped between said lockplate and said housing using said pin and said actuating member whensaid lock plate is trapped within the channel of the mating component byway of the second dimension of said lock plate.
 5. The tie-down cleatassembly of claim 4, wherein said lock plate is generally rectangular inshape.
 6. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 4, wherein said lockplate may be freely rotated within the channel of the mating component.7. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 4, wherein said actuating memberis threadingly engaged with said pin, a rotation of said actuatingmember resulting in longitudinal movement of said pin with respect tosaid housing and said actuating member.
 8. The tie-down cleat assemblyof claim 1, wherein said support member selectively secures at least onefork of a bicycle.
 9. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid housing further includes a second aperture for selectively securingsaid support member.
 10. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid support member is molded to said housing.
 11. A tie-down cleatassembly for engagement with a mating component, the mating componentincluding a channel, comprising: a pin extending along a generallylongitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end; a lock plateadjacent to said second end; a housing having an aperture, said pinextending through said aperture, said pin, said lock plate, and saidhousing being so configured that rotation of one of said pin and saidlock plate about said longitudinal axis results in a correspondingrotation of the other of said pin and said lock plate between a securedand an unsecured orientation; an actuating member operationallyconnected to said pin for causing selective movement of said pin andsaid lock plate between said secured and said unsecured orientation tosecure the mating component between said housing and said lock plate,said lock plate being received in the channel in said securedorientation; and a support member secured to said housing; whereby aportion of said pin and a portion of said aperture of said housinginclude a noncircular cross-section to minimize rotation of said pinwith respect to said aperture.
 12. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim11, wherein said housing includes at least one base plate member and atleast one tie-down member.
 13. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 12,wherein said base plate member includes a lowermost surface, at leastone protrusion extending away from said lowermost surface and receivablein the channel of the mating component, said protrusion minimizingrotation of said assembly within the rail when in said securedorientation.
 14. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11, wherein saidhousing is a one-piece member.
 15. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim11, wherein said pin includes a notch extending inwardly from an outerperiphery of said pin; a retainer received in said notch and extendingoutwardly from said periphery, said retainer selectively engaging asurface of said aperture to limit longitudinal movement of said pinwithin said housing.
 16. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11,wherein said housing includes an upper surface and at least one grooveadjacent to said aperture of said housing; a thrust washer engaging saidupper surface, wherein said thrust washer includes an ear, said earengaging said groove to minimize rotation of said thrust washer withrespect to said housing.
 17. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11,including a biasing member disposed between said housing and saidactuating member and biasing said actuating member away from a surfaceof said housing.
 18. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11, whereinsaid support member selectively secures at least one fork of a bicycle.19. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11, wherein said housingfurther includes a second aperture for selectively securing said supportmember.
 20. The tie-down cleat assembly of claim 11, wherein saidsupport member is molded to said housing.